Barry's Beef

The Gang of Four were a stain on democratic socialist history, but more fool them; if they'd stayed in the Labour Party they would now be heralded as 'venerable' and other such compliments. As it is the SDP became Thatcherism Mk II and collapsed before being sucked into the Liberal Party. Ok, so why mention this? Truly, it is a convoluted link to my own Gang of Four, Barry's Gang of Four which is my four favourite MPs. Sadly, one is no longer an MP and to compound this, I learnt yesterday that another of the Four is to stand down at the next General Election (I won't name the other two, in case they decide to 'do one' too). So it's a very fond farewell to Calder Valley MP, Chris McCafferty.
It's not just her politics that I am quite partial to (although I thoroughly enjoyed her speech in the quite recent Abortion Debate as the Tories were getting into full-on swivelled-eyed loon mode) but also her manner. People should vote with their conscience and she did, even if a Whip was breathing down her neck (not literally). I used to be in the office next door to Chris (an honour now held by Kerron) and frequently popped in for a chat with Chris, David and the lovely Mette (and in more recent times to see the wonderful Lola Coca Cola and, only once, Arty Farty) or more commonly to sort out Mette's computer.
Obviously MPs are an important bunch of people (just ask one and they'll tell you) but Chris is a proper decent lady, a good laugh and a good chat. I may be wrong but I think Chris was the first sitting MP to do jury service, if not she was one of the first. Now that's a fact (unless it's wrong, of course).
What with John Battle, Neil Gerrard and Alan Simpson also standing down, the Labour Party is losing some very valuable, principled MPs and doesn't bode well for the next Parliament.
Good luck in the future Chris. And if it's not too late change your mind.

Labels: Chris McCafferty, the Labour Party

I was really upset to read that Alan Simpson, the Labour MP for Nottingham South has decided to stand down at the next General Election. I can well understand his sense of frustration, the Labour Party is currently not the greatest haven for socialists. I have a lot of respect for him and wish him all the best. The quote in his resignation letter is pertinent: "There are good people in the Parliamentary Labour Party but not enough of them. At times, I feel that colleagues would vote for the slaughter of the first born if asked to." Not only vote for it, but probably justify it by saying it was in the manifesto and the Government has to deliver on its manifesto promises.

Labels: Alan Simpson, the Labour Party